The Night

Chapter 17: Opening Up

Hey guys!!! I hope everyone is safe, healthy, and most importantly happy! Let's get started on chapter 17. Enjoy😜

Rocky's POV
"Who goes first?" Rex questioned. The three of us sat on the ground in a triangle. We all sat facing each other in silence. My phone sat on the floor next to me, charging.

"We aren't telling anyone anything, right?" I assured.

"I won't," Rex promised. "Tracker?" We both turned to find Tracker sitting with his arms folded.

"I won't either," he spoke up.

"I'll go first," I decided. "So uh, I lived with both my Mom and Dad. They recently started fighting. Not physically, just verbally. They used their anger out on me and kicked me out of the house. I ran away but snuck back in to get my stuff. I got out and walked until I made it here." Rex and Tracker sat there silently.

"I'm sorry," Rex said, placing his hand on my left shoulder. I just smiled in response. "I'll go next."My Mom and Dad divorced when I was only six. I lived with my mom while my dad left. He wanted nothing to do with me. My mom passed away after getting cancer and I was left alone. I don't have any siblings, younger or older. I was sent to my dad, but he didn't want me around. The police took me to an orphanage, and I stayed there for three months until I escaped. I then signed myself up to come to this school. I've lived here since."

"How long ago was that?"

"Last year." I was speechless. Although I wondered how he got into this school without a parent, I wasn't going to ask. Rex and I both turned our heads to stare at Tracker, who held no eye contact. He stared down to the ground and played with a rock.

"Tracker?" Rex asked.

"Okay, fine," he said. "My parents traveled from Mexico." I had a bad feeling about this. I have an idea of what his situation could be. "They came here by foot and when they were here, they had me. I have an older brother, but he was born over there in Mexico. When I was only fifteen, the three of them got deported. I don't have any family here, so I lived with a neighbor for a little. The neighbor got arrested for robbing, so I was alone again. One day after school, I didn't leave. I came down here and hid since then. I still attend school and all, but I kinda live here now." I was yet again speechless. My problem wasn't even a problem when you compared mine to theirs'.

"I'm sorry," I said, looking at Tracker. He slowly lifted his head and just shrugged.

"At least we got each other," Rex pointed out. We then heard little taps on the window.

"What's that?" I asked.

"I dunno," Rex responded, getting up. He walked over to the only light source we had. We peeked out the window and all I saw from my area was white. "It's snowing."

"Already?" Tracker asked, getting up and following Rex. I decided to do the same and we all looked and saw the entire block covered in snow. It was amazing.

"Woah," I said in shock. My stomach then started to growl loud enough for everyone to hear. The two turned to me with wide eyes.

"Someone's hungry," Rex chuckled.

"Para arriba," Tracker laughed.

"What?" I asked, nervously laughing.

"Upstairs," Rex translated.

"We're going up?" I questioned.

"To the cafeteria," Rex shrugged. "To see what we can find."

"Aren't there cameras here or something?" I reminded.

"We've been here for so long and never got in trouble," Tracker shrugged. I can't afford to get in trouble. Well, I can since I've never gotten in trouble, but I rather not.

"Okay," I agreed. "Is the principal still here?"

"With the snowstorm, he either left before so he wouldn't get caught in it or is going to be stuck here because of it," Rex said.

"Hopefully, he left already," I hoped. Tracker and Rex walked out of the room as I followed. I ran over to my phone, unplugged it, put it in the pocket of my hoodie, and caught up with them. Tracker pulled out a flashlight and lit the way. We walked up the stairs and stopped when we made it to the 1st floor. Tracker turned off his flashlight as we walked past the hallways. It's weird to see all the halls empty. No students, crowds, fights, arguments, screaming, nothing. Just silence (besides the sound of us walking). We made it to the cafeteria and walked into the kitchen.

There was a medium-sized fridge, a small stove, shelves, a microwave, and a random table in the middle of the kitchen. Crates filled the room, but they weren't all full. We all looked at each other and then split up. I ran for the fridge and found cartons of milk with jugs of juice. I also found some frozen chicken nuggets and some lasagna. Rex ran for the crates while Tracker climbed the counter and searched the shelves.

"Jackpot!" Rex cheered. He held up small cups of fruit and packages of pop tarts.

"Encontré algo!" Tracker hollered. He held up packages of sweetbread and cinnamon buns.

"Bingo!" I shouted. I grabbed some juice and milk and placed them on the table. Rex did the same with the fruit cups and pop tarts as Tracker hopped off of the counter. We all gathered everything we found and were satisfied. "Anyone want chicken nuggets?"

"Yes, please," Rex answered as Tracker nodded. I grabbed a plastic plate and put 20 chicken nuggets. I gave the plate to Tracker, who climbed the counter and put the chicken nuggets in the microwave. I always loved the school's juice, but we were never allowed to have more than two. I was lucky to get more if anyone didn't want theirs'. Now, I was able to have all the juice I wanted with no limits or boundaries. We all ate bread with milk while we waited for the nuggets. The microwave began to beep, meaning they were ready. Tracker yet again climbed the counter and brought them down. Rex got packages of ketchup and we all dug in.

"We're out of juice," Tracker stated.

"I'll get more," I said, making my way to the fridge. I found some apple and orange juice. "Catch." Tracker looked up as I tossed the juice. He looked very attentive and caught it perfectly. "Great catch."

"Thanks," he smiled. We all talked and got to know each other. I figured out Rex is on the soccer team and loves the summer. Not a fan of the winter or cold. I already knew Tracker was on the football team, but he also recently joined a soccer team. Not the school team, though. Two sports at once. We all agreed to act like we don't know each other when we're in school. Like when class is in session. If we started talking, people would ask questions and wonder how we met. No one needs to know we all decided to come and live in the school building.

"What now?" Rex asked.

"I'm going to head to the library," I announced.